Brian Dettmer's book sculptures

Atlanta-based artist Brian Dettmer creates marvelous sculptures by performing surgery on books. He has a show opening April 3 at Chicago's Packer Schopf Gallery. The gallery kindly sent a few sneak peeks at the new work. Click the images to see them larger. (Thanks, Dominic Paul Moore!)

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Nelson.C

These make me feel sadder than watching a bat on a rocket.
SassafrassWinterSolstice

The link provided by post #8 perfectly portrays the essence of Brian Dettmer’s creations via great detailed shots.

Absolutely breath taking work Brian Dettmer!

Brian’s artistry captures the magic, beauty, and mystery of written words and the pictorial representations of such books, encyclopedias, etc. and mixes it all together in a dream-like fashion.

If I was fortunate enough to be an author of some written form of expression – I would be honored to have my work reinterpreted in such a clever way.
Takuan

good children’s book there though. Have to change the ending.
TroofSeeker

Ummm… maybe a good idea with a so-so execution.
Or maybe it’s just a dang fire hazard.
Could I see the bat on the rocket again?
gez

These are a beautiful display, and done so well that you feel he shows the utmost respect for the published book. Nice work!
Digital Artz

I had a bat on a rocket when I was 18 but then
I was drafted and that wasn’t beer.
ginbelle

People in the Seattle area can see some of Brian Dettmer’s work right now at the Bellevue Arts Museum. The exhibition is called The Book Borrowers, and it runs through June 14.

http://bellevuearts.org/exhibitions/current/book_borrowers.htm
Anonymous

The execution on his own site is better. And the concept of “book autopsies” captures it: http://centripetalnotion.com/2007/09/13/13:26:26/
clockbound

My favorite part is how incredibly shiny those pages become in the lighting.

Nicely done.
dominicpaulmoore

i just spoke with Brian, and he told me that he never intended to have these pieces described as or called “Book Autopsies” although a perfectly understandable surface level description of his work.

his personally maintained sites:

http://www.briandettmer.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/briandettmer/
Auto Parts for Brains

A real artist is one who can make something magnificent from a common thing such as an unused book. These are just amazing. These sculptures will fit perfectly in a fantasy movie, methinks.
Marcy

Since I just finished reading If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler, I’m thinking the artist may have come across that particular book, too . . .
LOSERKID

that is so kol its wow!!!
Digital Artz

What a way for an author to end up
as a memorial tombstone on their own book.
Takuan

(and PLEASE, no observations about desecration of books as sacred objects – just the art please)
HowardsGrl

I don’t know why, but when I look at these I feel ‘funny’…as in funny in my tummy and in my girly parts…like a sense of longing mixed in with squeamishness.
MasterSauce

.tiffed!

Anywho.. I think these are incredible. I’m always blown away by these pieces.